Curried Chicken and No-Added Sugar Peanut Sauce

Why I like this:

It’s easy - other than the time waiting for the chicken to marinate, this dish can be whipped up in no time! It has great flavor - marinating the chicken enhances the wonderful curry flavor. The lime juice and coconut milk add a special flavor to the peanut sauce making it taste like restaurant quality. It is healthy - chicken is an excellent source of lean protein. The protein in chicken has amino acids that our bodies use to build muscle. Protein may help maintain bone density, which can help decrease the risk of osteoporosis. The peanut sauce is delicious - trust me, you will not miss the sugar! Enjoy it as a dipping sauce for chicken and vegetables, or simply spread a little on a piece of whole grain bread and top with a slice of cucumber or bell pepper.

To make this more of a full meal, serve it with a side of brown rice - a healthy complex carbohydrate.

Curried Chicken and No Added Sugar Peanut Sauce

Chicken Ingredients:

1/2 cup of light coconut milk

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 pound of thin-sliced chicken breasts

Peanut Sauce Ingredients:

4 Tbsp. of natural, crunchy peanut butter, with no added sugar.

1/2 cup of light coconut milk

1 tsp. coconut aminos*

1/2 tsp. minced ginger

juice of 1 lime

*Coconut aminos have less sodium than tamari or soy sauce, either of which could be substituted here if you don’t have coconut aminos.

Steps:

1) Mix the coconut milk, garlic, curry powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the chicken breasts and coat evenly with the mixture. Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid, or plastic wrap, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours or more.*

2) While the chicken marinates, soak wooden skewers (approximately 12 skewers) in water.

3) After at least 2 hours, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and from the mixture, shaking off the excess mixture. Gently skewer the chicken. Discard the remaining mixture.

4) Spray a large grill pan with a little olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Place the skewers in a single layer in the grill pan and cook (frequently check the underside but do not turn until golden brown) for approximately 4-5 minutes. Turn the chicken and continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes (if using thicker chicken breasts, cook longer). The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and stays at that temperature for at least 30 seconds, and the inside is not pink.

5) Place the skewers on a platter along with the peanut sauce and fresh-cut vegetables, such as cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, or orange or yellow bell peppers.

* The peanut sauce could be made while the chicken is marinating.

To make the peanut sauce: pour all of the ingredients into a food processor or a blender and mix until well blended. Makes about 1/2 cup.